By Amanda Vinicky, IL Public Radio
Springfield, Ill. – Construction at the Illinois state capitol means lawmakers can't meet there when they return to Springfield Tuesday for their six-day veto session.
The Illinois Senate will meet at the new Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, while members of the Illinois House will instead convene in the same room where Abraham Lincoln once served as a state representative.
The Old State Capitol hasn't housed the legislature since 1876, when state government moved to its larger, present-day headquarters.
Site manager Justin Blanford admits it will be a slightly crowded location for the current Illinois House to meet. But he says it's an exciting reuse of the former Representative Hall.
While the desk that Lincoln is said to have used then is typically on display for visitors touring the Old Capitol, Blanford says it and other artifacts will be removed.
Lawmakers also won't be allowed to eat, or drink anything besides unchilled water, so that spills and condensation don't ruin the furnishings. Wireless Internet and two flat-screen TVs have also been installed so legislators can carry on business in the modern fashion.